How Much Do YouTubers Make in 2024?

When getting started on YouTube, you need to consider whether you want your video creation and uploading process to be a hobby or a career.

To be honest, there’s nothing wrong with either.

Many successful YouTubers started their channel wanting to share their passion with the world and didn’t expect to make any money from it.

However, to be a successful YouTuber, you need to treat it like a business.

That means creating quality content regularly, promoting your channel, and engaging with your audience.

It also eventually means investing money in your channel, whether it’s on better equipment, editing software, or hiring help.

YouTubers make money when ads are run on their videos.

Many think that people watching their videos will allow them to start earning right away.

However, that’s not how it works.

YouTube will pay you when people watch the ads on your videos.

This means you need to have a decent number of views before seeing any significant earnings from your ads.

Having content that causes people to click and watch your video is the first step to making money from YouTube ads.

The amount you get paid depends on several factors, including the video category and the type of ad (more on this later) the advertiser runs.

The category in which your video falls makes a big difference.

For example, gaming, music, and sports videos tend to get higher ad rates than other videos.

No matter which industry you’re in, a significant factor that can negatively impact the amount of money one makes on YouTube is whether people have ad blockers while watching the videos.

Another factor to consider is that growth on any marketing channel is never usually linear.

This means that there will be ebbs and flows in terms of the number of views and earnings.

Several things can affect this, such as algorithm changes, seasonality, competition, etc.

This is why it’s essential to have a long-term perspective when growing your YouTube channel.

YouTube offers various types of ads that advertisers can make use of.

These are used at the beginning, during, or after videos, and viewers have the option to skip them after 5 seconds.

These are the most common type of YouTube ad, and they’re also the least intrusive since viewers can choose to skip them if they want.

As the name suggests, viewers cannot skip these ads, and they run for a maximum of 15 seconds.

Since they’re non-skippable, they tend to be more expensive for advertisers.

At the same time, since viewers can’t skip them, there’s a higher chance that they’ll watch the ad.

This type of advertising may appear alongside related YouTube videos, as part of a YouTube search result, or on the YouTube mobile homepage.

They blend in with the rest of the content on YouTube, and advertisers are only charged when the site visitors click on the thumbnail to watch the video.

Bumper advertising is a type of pre-roll video that is 6 seconds or shorter and plays before, during, or after another YouTube video.

The viewer has no option to skip the ad, so they’re great for quick, attention-grabbing messages.

Outstream ads are video ads that run on other sites apart from YouTube that form part of the Google video partners.

While YouTube content creators can make money through ad revenue, there are other ways to monetize their channels.

Features such as super chat, stickers, subscriptions, and channel memberships can help.

These features allow fans to support their favorite YouTubers directly, and the person can make more money than just through ads.

Some YouTubers even create Patreon accounts, where their fans can pledge a monthly amount to help support the creation of new videos.

There are also other methods that do not involve the YouTube platform.

For example, some YouTubers use their platform to sell products or services.

After I’ve covered all the ways YouTubers can make money, you might wonder who the highest-paid YouTubers are.

Here are the top ten YouTube earners as of 2022.

It’s a fact that some niches are just more lucrative than others.

So, if you’re looking to start a YouTube channel and want to maximize your earnings potential, here are some of the most successful niches to make money.

With many identifying with the gamer identity, the right influencer in this niche is passionate about their hobby.

This results in a lot of potential money to be made on YouTube.

With video views and watch time skyrocketing for popular games, there’s no shortage of opportunities for the right person.

From PC video games to mobile games, this industry has a lot of money to make.

Comparable to other social media networks in terms of advertising revenue, celebrity gossip YouTube channels can make a lot of money.

Ad views for celebrity gossip channels are often high, and with vlogs, interviews, and other types of content, there’s a lot of content for the right person to create.

Another big niche for YouTube earnings, lifehack videos are famous worldwide.

Many YouTubers make a full-time living by creating helpful content in this genre.

Popularized by TikTok and other social media platforms, there’s a lot of potential for those who can tap into this market.

With a high CPM and CPC due to the nature of the content, news channels can make a lot of money on YouTube.

If you have a knack for engagingly delivering breaking news, there’s potential for you in this niche.

Many people want to get better with their personal finances, and a successful YouTube channel that deals with this topic can be a lucrative opportunity.

There are many different ways to monetize a personal finance YouTube channel.

Creators typically get paid well when advertisers run ads on their channels.

In addition, affiliate marketing in this niche can involve anything from recommending the best credit cards for a specific business, to the latest tax apps, and more.

Another angle you could take would be debt reduction and removal.

If you’re passionate about helping people save money and get out of debt, this could be an excellent niche.

While more on the humoristic side, the advertising revenue on such channels can be significant.

The video content of such channels is often easy to produce, and there’s always an audience that spends a lot of time watching fail videos.

Apart from such channels’ advertising potential, there are other ways to monetize a top X-list channel.

From channel memberships that provide access to exclusive perks and discounts, to various product recommendations, the products one recommends in their videos can make money for the content creator.

Potentially becoming a full-time job for the right creator, food-related YouTube channels can be highly profitable.

With various collaborations that can be made with restaurants and other brands, there’s a lot of potential earnings to be had in this niche.

One can also cater to various sub-niches within this industry, so content ideas will never be hard to come by.

With many product recommendations available through Amazon and other avenues, the average YouTuber specializing in makeup tutorials can make a decent living.

Some of the most popular YouTubers in this space include James Charles, Jeffree Star, and Nikkie Tutorials.

As you can see from the top ten list above, two of YouTube’s top earners are found within the makeup niche.

This means that while there is competition in this space, new YouTubers can still profit from such content.

Those who are creative with their content and passionate about making people look their best might do well in this niche.

YouTube creators specializing in how-to demonstrations can quickly find themselves with a loyal and engaged audience.

Many topics can be covered in this genre, from gardening to car repair and home improvement.

This could be the perfect niche for you if you’re passionate about teaching others and can make complex topics easy to understand.

With people looking for such videos when they have real problems, the watch time with your content can be through the roof.

Funny cat videos… That’s the first thing that comes to mind when many people think of YouTube.

The average YouTuber can take any video content shot on their phone and turn it into a hilarious compilation that will have people returning for more.

The more creative your content is, the more successful you’re likely to be in this niche.

In addition, those who can make people feel emotion while featuring cute animals will do well in this space.

Another niche that lends itself well to affiliate marketing and promotions is product unboxing videos.

With Ryan Kaji (Ryan’s World) being a great example of a ten-year-old that shot to fame by unboxing and reviewing kids’ toys, this is a viable option for those with young children.

With the number of subscribers in the 100 million+ range, the net worth of YouTubers in this niche can be pretty high.

While not all YouTube niches are created equally, the earning potential for YouTubers has grown significantly in recent years.

Making videos is as easy as taking your phone out of your pocket and shooting.

With that said, it’s important to remember that becoming a successful YouTuber takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and luck.

If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel, make sure you’re prepared to put in the time and effort needed to make it a success.

Treating it as a business goes a long way.

Who knows?

You could be one of the highest-paid YouTubers in a few years, making an impressive amount of money from doing something you love.